Choices

Scripture: 1Kings (NIV) 3:5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”…

1Kings 3:9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong…

Observation: This passage brings to mind fables I have heard about Aladdin’s lamp, a magical lamp that when found and rubbed produced a Genie who would grant three wishes. The stories often have the twist in which the third and final wish wipes out the first two, and the wisher is left with nothing. Solomon did not have three wishes, but one. This was not some Genie from a magical lamp. This was the Almighty Creator of the universe. Solomon needed to ask well the first time. And he did. He requested a wise heart to enable him to govern Israel and to know the difference between good and evil.

Of all the things Solomon could have requested, he asked for that which would make him a better servant, both to God and to the people. Solomon was not selfish in his choice. He did not choose to better his own standing, but to enable him to better the standing of others. (To see how pleased God was with Solomon’s request, read 1Kings 3:10-14!)

Application: Every once in a while I too have an unexpected choice. I find or receive some extra money. How do I choose to spend it? Or I find an "extra" hour in my day. How do I choose to spend it?

Prayer: Lord, May you be as pleased with my choices as you were with Solomon’s. Amen